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HomeMy WebLinkAbout_1998 07 06 City Commission Special Minutes SPECIAL MEETING CITY COMMISSION JULY 6,1998 The Special Meeting of July 6, 1998, was called to order by Mayor Paul P. Partyka at 6:34 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. ROLL CALL: Mayor Paul P. Partyka, present Deputy Mayor Cindy Gennell, present City Manager Ronald W. McLemore, present Attorney Robert Guthrie, present (6:43 p.m.) COMMISSIONERS: Robert S. Miller, present Michael S. Blake, present Edward Martinez, Jr., present David McLeod, present Mayor Partyka called a moment of silence and special prayer, especially for all ofthe firemen, the volunteers, and for all the people who helped take care of the recent fires. There was discussion about the following Agenda Items and whether to hold Agenda Item II or III first. After some discussion, it was decided that since Counsel and the Court Reporter were already here, and with the concern of fees to be paid for their time, the Commission felt that they should handle the Executive Session first. II. EXECUTIVE SESSION: DISCUSSION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL TO DISCUSS MATTERS RELATED TO THE LAWSUIT: PARTYKA VS. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS. Mayor Paul P. Partyka read the "Notice of Executive Session", and said for the record, "I will not be attending this session". Attorney Robert Guthrie arrived at 6:43 p.m. The Executive Session then convened in the Conference Room. The public meeting was called back to order at 7:51 p.m., with the conclusion of the Executive Session. Attorney Guthrie explained that the Executive Session concluded at approximately 7:47 p.m., and that he was recommending an additional Executive Session - to be scheduled for July 13, 1998. It should begin at 5 :30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at City Hall. Attorney Guthrie then explained who would be in attendance, the expected length of the session, and other particulars dealing with this meeting. Attorney Guthrie then left the meeting. Attorney Guthrie announced whom would be attending this meeting, and other related details. Special Meeting City Commission July 6. 1998 Page 2 III. BUDGET REVIEW City Manager Ronald McLemore read for the record, a letter of transmittal (see attached) which accompanied the "City of Winter Springs FY 1998-l999 Preliminary Budget" that was distributed at this meeting. Manager McLemore said that tonight's meeting would be an overview of the proposed budget, and that more detailed discussions would take place at the upcoming scheduled budget workshops. The first point that Manager McLemore made was that he was recommending a change in the millage rate - from 3.6 to 3.5495 mils, and he briefly explained three proposed millage alternatives that the Commission may want to consider. There were further comments from Manager McLemore regarding the numbers for the new Town Center which are being evaluated right now; Capital improvement costs; reimbursements from the COPS grant; and required Commission authorization for recent personnel adjustments. Manager McLemore then pointed out some changes in personnel, and the spoke of the probability ofre-bidding he Health Insurance contract, as prices are most likely to increase. Regarding page A-5 (Merit Pay and Other Compensation) of the "City of Winter Springs FY 1998-1999 Preliminary Budget", Manager McLemore spoke in depth about general salary changes, along with an extra merit increase. He explained that "This would be a one time situation. The reason relates back to the Cody study, and it relates to the issue that our employees, particularly in Police and Fire, are continuously raising with us; that because we do every two years, increase our ranges, of people that have been here; and this keeps forcing people with some time, up against the beginning ofthe range, so therefore - a person that's been here five or ten years, is making virtually the same money as a new person". He further explained that this "salary compression problem" will always occur with a non-stepped pay scale, such as this; and that many governments offer an extra merit increase to those employees with five or more years of service. Manager McLemore further spoke of a proposed sick-leave adjustment; potential contributions to the City's Retirement Plan; personnel costs; and new operating costs. On page A-8, Manager McLemore mentioned that the reference in the second paragraph, to ".. .pages C54-C60..." - this should really be noted as ".. .pages B54-B60.. .". Special Meeting City Commission July 6. 1998 Page 3 Manager McLemore next discussed the fiscal strength of the City. He said "I want you to pay particular attention to the difference between your projected year end in FN 99, or the budget before you. Because, what we are saying here, is you're starting off the year with a projected $9,800,000 dollars in revenues; expenditures of $9,800,000; a beginning fund balance of almost $2.9 million dollars, and a fund balance that which simply means - in your FN 99, we've reached the goal I set three years ago, of not having to go into fund balance to operate during the year - and that's an extremely important point, for me, in terms of the management direction that we set". Manager McLemore further said that he did not see any reason to use the fund balance for any capital outlay or operating expenses. Mayor Partyka spoke of some changes to the numbers that should be taken care of on page A -l 0, and Manager McLemore said that it had been noted. Manager McLemore briefly discussed Base Line and Enterprise funds. The graphs in this section of the "City of Winter Springs FY 1998-1999 Preliminary Budget" were briefly discussed. Mr. Harry Martin, Finance Director clarified that the graphs should be read starting at twelve 0' clock, and go clockwise. There was discussion on the adjustment of salary and merit raises, and the current closeness of salaries between some new employees and some employees with five or ten years of service. Manager McLemore was asked about this same situation happening with other cities, and he explained that this is standard problem with a pay plan of this type. There was further discussion on this subj ect. The sick leave purchase proposal as a potential employee incentive was next briefly discussed. On page A-l4, it was noted that the "Ending Year Fund Balance" (under the "Adopted Budget FY 98" column) should be $1,941,394 instead of$1,914,394. There was other brief discussion about the costs for the proposed swimming pool (complex), and ad valorem taxes. IV. OTHER MATTERS Manager McLemore mentioned that at the next Special Meeting, that there would be a brief discussion with Bruce Blackwell, as previously noted. Special Meeting City Commission July 6. 1998 V. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Partyka adjourned the Special Meeting at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Andrea Lorenzo- Luaces Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: PCltAL P. pCl:rttJ ~CI - . - ~ -:: .....c Page 4 ,- PAULP.PARTYKA,MAYQR .,/ .-